IT'S A TRAP! Scandinavian Music Journal

Spellemann 2010 nominees

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 14:23:10 -0800

The nominees for this year's Spellemann awards, the Norwegian Grammy, have been announced:

Female Artist:
Christel Alsos - Tomorrow is (Sony Music)
Ida Maria - Katla (Nightliner/Universal Music)
Ingrid Olava - The guest (Universal Music)
Susanne Sundfør - The brothel (EMI Music Norway)

Male Artist:
Moddi - Floriography (Impeller Recordings)
Odd Nordstoga - November (Sonet/Universal Music)
Thom Hell - All good things (Voices Music and Entertainment)
Thomas Dybdahl - Waiting for that one clear moment (Universal Music)

Pop Group:
deLillos - Hjernen er alene i Operaen (Warner Music Norway)
I was a king - Old friends (Hype City Recordings/Voices Music and Entertainment)
Kråkesølv - Bomtur til jorda (Kråkesølv Plateselskapet/Grand Sport Records)
Madcon - Contraband (Cosmos Music Group)

Electronic:
Bjørn Torske - Kokning (Smalltown Supersound)
Lindstrøm & Christabelle - Real life is no cool (Smalltown Supersound)
Ost & Kjex - Cajun lunch (Voices Music and Entertainment/Dynamic Music)

Rock:
Blood Command - Ghostclocks (Tiger Safari/Fysisk Format)
Kvelertak - Kvelertak (Indie Recordings)
Motorpsycho - Heavy metal fruit (Rune Grammofon)
Serena-Maneesh - No 2: Abyss in b minor (Smalltown Supersound/4AD)
Tommy Tokyo & Starving for My Gravy - Go time, showtime & absolute war (Warner Music Norway)

Metal:
Enslaved - Axioma Ethica Odini (Indie Recordings)
Ihsahn - After (Tuba Records/Candlelight)
Shining - Blackjazz (Indie Recordings)
Solefald - Norrøn livskunst (Indie Recordings)

Hip-Hop:
Karpe Diem - Aldri solgt en løgn (Cosmos Music Group)
Lars Vaular - Helt om natten, helt om dagen (Cosmos Music Group)
Salvador Sanchez - Happy daze (MTG Productions)

Folk:
Gjermund Larsen trio - Aurum (Heilo/Grappa Musikkforlag)
Ingvill Marit Buen Garnås og Per Anders Buen Garnås - Salme, segn & solbøn (Talik Da)
Sondre Bratland/Annbjørg Lien - Alle vegne (Kirkelig Kulturverksted)
Unni Boksasp Ensemble - Keramello (Øra Fonogram)

Jazz:
Elephant9 - Walk the nile (Rune Grammofon)
Ivar Antonsen/Vigleik Storaas - Dialogues (Ponca Jazz Records)
Paolo Vinaccia - Very much alive (Jazzland Recordings)
Supersilent - 10 (Rune Grammofon)
Trondheim Jazz Orchestra - Triads and more (Midtnorsk Jazzsenter)

Open Class:
Beady Belle - At Welding Bridge (Jazzland Recordings)
Jaga Jazzist - One-armed bandit (Universal Music)
Karl Seglem - Ossicles (Nor CD/Ozella Music)
Pelbo - Pelbo (Denstad Rec Play Forward/Rhinoprod)
Petter Wettre/Audun Kleive - The only way to travel 2 (Household Records)

Lyrics:
Bare Egil Band - I fyr og flamme (Grappa/Duplex)
Erik Fosnes Hansen - Neste stasjon Grorud (Daworks Records)
Ingrid Olava - The guest (Universal Music) Odd Nordstoga - November (Sonet/Universal Music)
Susanne Sundfør - The brothel (EMI Music Norway)

Pop Composition:
Gjermund Larsen - Aurum (Heilo/Grappa)
Ingrid Olava - The guest (Universal Music)
Odd Nordstoga - November (Sonet/Universal Music)
Susanne Sundfør - The brothel (EMI Music Norway)
Thom Hell - All good things (Voices Music and Entertainment)

Newcomer:
Bjørn Johan Muri (Universal Music)
Frida Ånnevik (Grappa Musikkforlag)
Kvelertak (Indie Recordings)
Moddi (Impeller Recordings)
Thomas Eriksen (Warner Music Group)

Winners will be announced on March 5. More here: http://www.spellemann.no/

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:45:36 -0800

This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:

01. Bjørn Eidsvåg - De Beste
02. Frøya - My American Dream
03. WigWam - Non Stop Rock'N'Roll
04. Motorpsycho - Heavy Metal Fruit
05. Donkeyboy - Caught in a Life
06. Jaga Jazzist - One-Armed Bandit
07. Sivert Høyem - Moon Landing
08. Stage Dolls - Always
09. Dina Misund - Listen
10. John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen - For Sant Til Å Være Godt
11. Shining - Blackjazz
12. Claudia Scott/Casino Steel/Ottar Big Hand Johansen - Honky Tonk Night - The Best
13. N'Jie Haddy - World of the free
14. Vidar Johnsen & Peter Nordberg - Ild & Vatten
15. Dum Dum Boys - Tidsmaskin
16. d'sound - Starts and Ends
17. Torbjørn Egner - Samlede CD-er
18. Jahn Teigen - Teigen - 40 Største Hits
19. Jonas Fjeld feat Henning Kvitnes - Den Gamle Veien
20. Ihsahn - After

PopMatters interviews Ihsahn

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:04:17 -0800

PopMatters interviews ex-Emperor frontman Ihsahn about his new solo record "After": http://www.popmatters.com/pm/column/118581-the-life-aquatic-with-ihsahn/
I have yet to hear it myself, but consensus seems to be quite positive and I found his last record "angL" to be a pleasant surprise.

New Ihsahn record in January

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:47:22 -0700

Ex-Emperor frontman Ihsahn has confirmed that his new solo album "After" will be released on January 26, 2010 via Candlelight Records.

Buy Ihsahn's Dinky

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:09:39 -0700

Ihsahn (Emperor) is auctioning one of his old guitars on eBay for a stupid amount of money: [click here]

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:07:38 -0800

Emperor, one of the most disappointing live acts I've ever seen, will be releasing a live CD/DVD collection with footage from their recent reunion tour. Read details at Ihsahn's myspace: http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=66871101&blogID=455561665

Wed, 28 May 2008 13:50:36 -0700

Check out MetalKult's video documentary on their trip to Norway: http://blogs.guitarworld.com/metalkult/videos/norway/
It includes visits to various black-metal landmarks plus interview footage with Satyricon and Ihsahn.

Fri, 23 May 2008 17:30:13 -0700

Check out an e-card for the new Ihsahn album "Angl": http://www.candlelightrecords.co.uk/candleweb/redesign/ihsahn/ihsahn_ecard.htm

MP3: Ihsahn - Unhealer

Tue, 13 May 2008 11:20:44 -0700

You'd be forgiven for mistaking this track for new Opeth, after all that is Mikael Åkerfeldt providing guest vocals. Careful listeners will note however that the music has a distinct blackened Norwegian feel, somewhat akin to Arcturus or Spiral Architect, another not-quite-so-surprising revelation when you learn that the latter's rhythm section of Asgeir Mickelson and Lars Norberg (drums and bass respectively) performs here as well. What is surprising though, is how much heavier this sounds than any of Ihsahn's recent work, including his previous solo album "The adversary" and his work with Peccatum. I actually wasn't expecting to like this at all since I fell off the Emperor bandwagon around the time of "IX equilibrium" and haven't been too impressed with any of the members work since then outside of Zyklon. It's interesting - I still hear the epic symphonic elements of Emperor, but there's a far stronger death-metal undercurrent mixed in with various progressive/prog-rock touches. This particular track "Unhealer" has way more prominent "clean" parts than the rest of the album, but it's balanced out by some of Ihsahn's best, most straight-up metal work ever (well, at least since Thou Shall Suffer). It's worth noting too, again not that you should really be surprised, that the guitar playing is phenomenal. Also, you can't hear it so much here, but there's also a huge similarity to latter-era Death going on. It makes me realize that Ihsahn's rasp really isn't that far off from Chuck Schuldiner's vox on "The sound of perseverance". All in all, I'm very impressed.

Sun, 04 May 2008 11:25:00 -0700

Here's the playlist for this week's radio show:

01. Johan Heltne - Din alkoholism är ingen alkoholism
02. TALK 1
03. Doktor Kosmos - Doktor Kosmos spelar på Tensta torg
04. Oliver North Boy Choir - New folder
05. Firefox AK + Laid - Once I was like you
06. TALK 2
07. THe Eight Arms Around You - Guilt ridden
08. Efterklang - Step aside
09. Orjan Hultén Trio ft. Fakir Karlsson - Untitled
10. TALK 3
11. Kornstad Trio - Intornette
12. Dmitry Fydorov - Greetings, D!
13. Disfear - Live the storm
14. TALK 4
15. I Are Droid - Time on time
16. Ihsahn - Unhealer
17. Juvelen - Don't mess
18. TALK 5
19. Henrik Rylander - Information and disinformation for alien civilizations
20. Namur - Draw us near
21. Lukestar - Clockworks of tomorrow
22. TALK 6
23. DS-13 - Prechewed rebellion
24. The Kid - Mayhem troopers
25. Sophie Rimheden - Go away
26. Anders Persson och Carl Smith - Morgonsol i April
27. TALK 7
28. Masshysteri - Monoton tid
29. NSI - 12
30. Zanussi Five - Azrah illusion / Street woman
31. TALK 8
32. Washington - Landslide
33. The Grand Opening - Dark dark dawn
34. Bobby and Blumm - Hiss and rustle
35. Paragon - Aavisst
36. TALK 9
37. Jonas Kullhammar Quartet - Bebopalulia

Fri, 02 May 2008 14:00:47 -0700

Candlelight has posted a new interview with Ihsahn talking about his new solo album "Angl": http://www.candlelightrecords.co.uk/candleweb/redesign/candle_ihsahn_interview.htm
The record is actually really good, I must admit that I'm surprised. Expect an mp3 post next week.

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:26:54 -0800

Ihsahn reports that Opeth mainman Mikael Åkerfeldt contributes lead vocals to the track "Unhealer" on his upcoming solo record "angL". In addition, the Spiral Architect rhythm section of drummer Asgeir Mickelson and bassist Lars Norberg contribute to the entire album as well.

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 12:11:07 -0800

Ex-Emperor frontman Ihsahn reports that his second solo album "angL" is just about done and should hopefully be ready for mastering within a few weeks. He describes the music as a natural progression from "The Adversary", but with a somewhat heavier touch." No word on a release date yet, but his own label Mnemosyne Productions will be handling it in association with Candlelight Records.

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 13:46:11 -0800

Starofash, the solo act of Heidi Solberg Tveitan/Ihriel from Peccatum/wife of Ihsahn from Emperor, will release her new album "The thread" on March 24 via Mnemosyne Productions/Candlelight Records.

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 12:01:13 -0800

Blabbermouth reports that Ihsahn (Emperor) is finishing up work on his second solo album: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=87400

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Take a guitar lesson with Ihsahn and Samoth of Emperor: http://blogs.guitarworld.com/metalkult/videos/exclusive-emperor-guitar-lesson/

Fri, 03 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Global Domination reviews Hardingrock, the folk project from Ihsahn of Emperor: http://www.globaldomination.se/reviews/hardingrock-grimen

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Head to MetalKult for a video interview with Emperor frontman Ihsahn as well as live footage from their recent NYC performance: http://blogs.guitarworld.com/metalkult/

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700

MIC Norway talks to Hardingrock, the new project of Ihsahn from Emperor along with Heidi Solberg Tveitan from Starofash and Hardanger fiddle-master Knut Buen: http://www.mic.no/mic.nsf/doc/art2007061313022019408560

Fri, 25 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Hardingrock, the new collaboration between Ihsahn (Emperor, Peccatum), Starofash (aka Heidi S. Tveitan) and folk artist Knut Buen, is now on myspace with samples: http://www.myspace.com/hardingrock

Wed, 23 May 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Ihsahn (Emperor, Peccatum), Starofash (aka Heidi S. Tveitan) and folk artist Knut Buen are teaming up in a new project under the name Hardingrock and will be releasing their debut album "Grimen" on June 11 via Mnemosyne Productions.

Wed, 15 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Ex-Emperor/Peccatum frontman Ihsahn has posted a couple samples from his debut solo album on his website: http://www.ihsahn.com/
The track "Called by fire" features guest vocals from Garm of Ulver. Sounds a bit like Ulver, too (on that particular track).

Wed, 08 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Peccatum, the duo of husband/wife Ihsahn (ex-Emperor) and Ihriel, is no more: http://www.digitalmetal.com/news.asp?cid=7164
I haven't heard their more recent work, but the first album (and live show) was perfectly awful, so I am not at all disappointed.

Thu, 19 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800

DigitalMetal has reprinted the press release for ex-Emperor frontman Ihsahn's new solo album: http://www.digitalmetal.com/news.asp?cid=7066

Tue, 06 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0800

"The adversary" has been confirmed for the title of the debut solo album from Ihsahn (Emperor). Final recordings are still underway at Symphonique Studios in Norway with the expectation of an early 2006 release via Candlelight Records and Ihsahn's own Mnemosyne Productions. The record is entirely the work of Ihsahn both lyrically and musically with the exception of the drums which were handled by Asgeir Mickelson (Borknagar, Spiral Architect).

Tue, 22 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0800

Newly reunited black-metal legends Emperor have announced two US shows:

07/14 - BB Kings Blues Club, New York, NY
07/16 - Key Club, Los Angeles, CA

I guess this is good news to people who never got to see them the first time around, but I must warn you not to get too excited: despite the band's greatness on record, they never were all that hot live. When I saw them and openers Witchery blew them away. And the less said about Ihsahn's other band Peccatum in a live setting (they were the other openers), the better.

Mon, 03 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0700

In related news, Emperor guitarist Samoth and drummer Trym's other band Zyklon will record their third album in November and vocalist/guitarist Ihsahn has a solo album due early next year.

Fri, 24 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Today's Friday classic comes from Norwegian black-metal masterminds Emperor. If you're in any way familiar with the BM genre, this band requires no introduction as they were undeniably one of the scene's most preeminent acts. Their full-length debut album "In the nightside eclipse" is one of my favorite metal records, but that's not where today's song comes from. Instead, I've chosen a b-side from the "Reverence" MCD, the disc that preceded the release of the much-anticipated follow-up record "Anthems to the welkin at dusk". This release marked a huge change in my opinion of Emperor, as it was the first time I considered them to be a real band and not some dark, unknowable force of nature. When I listened to "Nightside eclipse", I never could picture musicians in a room conjuring up such noise together, but the recording of the new material was much cleaner and emphasized the individual performances rather than washing them together in a huge whoosh of reverb. Then there was the video for "The loss and curse of reverence" included on the CD. That was definitely the final nail in the coffin. Once I saw Ihsahn in all his mustached, armored glory, there was no going back. The music was still amazing, but I could never regard them the same way again. But, like I said, the music remains - so here's "In longing spirit", a reworking of a much older song and probably one of the band's slowest and most doomy pieces. Hail the Emperor!

Wed, 18 May 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Check out a sample of the new Peccatum EP "The moribund people": http://media.theendrecords.com/Peccatum_MoribundPeople_TheMoribundPeople_sample.mp3
In case you were unaware, Peccatum is the musical project of Ihsahn (ex-Emperor) and his wife Ihriel. The new disc comes out July 12 via The End Records.

Tue, 23 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Peccatum, the band of ex-Emperor mastermind Ihsahn and his wife Ihriel, have confirmed that their new album "Lost In Reverie" will be released on April 19 through Mnemosyne Productions/Voices Music and Entertainment. The End Records will handle the US release on May 25. Tracklist and soundclips:

01. Desolate Ever After
02. In The Bodiless Heart
03. Parasite My Heart
04. Veils Of Blue
05. Black Star
06. Stillness
07. The Banks Of This River Is Night

Tue, 16 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800

Pre-Emperor death-metal band Thou Shalt Suffer (feat. Samoth, Ihsahn and Ildjarn) will see their album "Into the Woods of Belial" reissued with new cover art via Nocturnal Art Productions on April 12. Candlelight will release the US version on May 4.

Wed, 23 Jul 2003 00:00:00 -0700

Heavymetal.no has posted an interview with legendary ex-Emperor and Peccatum frontman Ihsahn. (in Norweigan)